Traveller sparks Sydney measles warning

A passenger suffering from a measles infection while on an international flight to Sydney has triggered a fresh public health warning about the highly contagious disease.

The young woman travelled on a Virgin flight from Denpasar to Sydney on January 1.

She also visited the Sutherland Hospital emergency department on January 4, with the hospital contacting people who may have been exposed during her visit.

NSW health authorities are warning fellow flight passengers and others who may have come into contact with the woman to be alert to measles symptoms in coming weeks.

Symptoms of the airbone virus include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed by a red, blotchy rash three to four days later.

"The measles virus is highly contagious and is spread through the air by someone who is unwell with the disease," Dr Sean Tobin from NSW Health said on Thursday.

"If you develop the symptoms of measles, seek medical advice. Please call ahead to your doctor or emergency department so that arrangements can be made to keep you away from others to minimise the risk of infection."